Sunday, November 1, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
"A Dangerous Pastime, I Know."
So this morning I woke up thinking about the prefix "in." I stayed late at work yesterday writing plans, and part of that was the next spelling list. Well the word famous is on it, with an obvious definition. And the word infamous is on it. But if "in" means "not" then how do I explain that one? Because infamous does not mean "not famous or not widely known/popular." It means "notoriously evil." Any ideas?
(And yes, this is a true story. DH asked me this morning as I was slowly rolling out of bed, a tad later than my alarm clock suggested, how I was. I told him I was puzzled by this "in" problem, and he laughed at me, and told me he was more worried about being late. Like worrying is going to change that situation?) Seriously, need an answer here.
(And yes, this is a true story. DH asked me this morning as I was slowly rolling out of bed, a tad later than my alarm clock suggested, how I was. I told him I was puzzled by this "in" problem, and he laughed at me, and told me he was more worried about being late. Like worrying is going to change that situation?) Seriously, need an answer here.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
CYA Medicine
Went to the OB's office again today. They love it when I'm there - I'm sure there's a sticker on my file by now. Today they offered me more genetic testing. Do I really look so odd as to question the quality of my gene pool, repeatedly? So I refused more testing. Here was today's conversation:
Dr: How are things going? Any questions?
Me: No, things are great. Third baby is easy. (duh)
Dr (after checking heartbeat): I noticed you didn't go to the previous screening offered where they measure the baby's spinal cord. Are you interested in the quad screening?
Me: What is that?
Dr: Well, (lots of terms I don't remember b/c my memory is comparable to the memory span of a goldfish) there is a 50% chance of detecting this one, and an 81% chance of that one.
Me: No, I'm not interested. (Inner monologue: After all, there is a 50 percent chance of a flying orca dropping a winning lottery ticket in my hand in the parking lot too - what kind of odds are those??)
Dr: Well, then it is standard procedure for patients who refuse the screenings to see a high risk specialist for their next sonogram. Is that okay with you?
Me: No, it's not, actually. I am not high risk, I have no health issues, I am under 35, and have had no prior complications with my two previous children. Why would I need to see a high risk specialist?
Dr: Well, that is just standard procedure.
Me: Look, I am not interested. And even if I do have a "Down's" baby, what am I supposed to do about that now? God will give me what I am supposed to have. I would like to decline the "high risk" visit.
Dr: typing furiously - unable to make eye contact
And thank you's were exchanged and the visit was over.
The doctor was very nice but seriously, what kind of kickbacks are there here with all this unnecessary testing? I left, feeling very frustrated. This is not my first rodeo, but I shudder to think if it was and I didn't know about any of this. Here is my advice to you for future Dr. visits, ask questions and if you find a test or screening questionable - deny it. Even if it is "standard procedure." I have never been one to question the experts but this is getting ridiculous.
Dr: How are things going? Any questions?
Me: No, things are great. Third baby is easy. (duh)
Dr (after checking heartbeat): I noticed you didn't go to the previous screening offered where they measure the baby's spinal cord. Are you interested in the quad screening?
Me: What is that?
Dr: Well, (lots of terms I don't remember b/c my memory is comparable to the memory span of a goldfish) there is a 50% chance of detecting this one, and an 81% chance of that one.
Me: No, I'm not interested. (Inner monologue: After all, there is a 50 percent chance of a flying orca dropping a winning lottery ticket in my hand in the parking lot too - what kind of odds are those??)
Dr: Well, then it is standard procedure for patients who refuse the screenings to see a high risk specialist for their next sonogram. Is that okay with you?
Me: No, it's not, actually. I am not high risk, I have no health issues, I am under 35, and have had no prior complications with my two previous children. Why would I need to see a high risk specialist?
Dr: Well, that is just standard procedure.
Me: Look, I am not interested. And even if I do have a "Down's" baby, what am I supposed to do about that now? God will give me what I am supposed to have. I would like to decline the "high risk" visit.
Dr: typing furiously - unable to make eye contact
And thank you's were exchanged and the visit was over.
The doctor was very nice but seriously, what kind of kickbacks are there here with all this unnecessary testing? I left, feeling very frustrated. This is not my first rodeo, but I shudder to think if it was and I didn't know about any of this. Here is my advice to you for future Dr. visits, ask questions and if you find a test or screening questionable - deny it. Even if it is "standard procedure." I have never been one to question the experts but this is getting ridiculous.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Staying Alive (In bed)
Remember that joke about the fortune cookie - adding the words "in bed" after everything? This is kind of like that - but probably not as funny. Life has been challenging lately - and I have been recovering (in my bed.) Two Sundays ago spent 18 hours out of 24 in bed. Then last week was a 10 hour parent teacher conference day followed by three days of camping with my students. So again, spent the weekend in my bed. Only to discover today that I have the worst case of allergies I have ever had, and back to the bed I go. Like right now, that is where I am headed again! Good thing I invested in that new pillow a month ago, it really is a fabulous pillow.... I promise I will come up for air again soon. (Perhaps you'll forgive all the phone calls/texts/facebook notes/invites I have left unanswered??)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
I've Been Busy
I'm alive! This has been an extremely busy fall. I feel like a hamster in a wheel. In case you haven't heard from me in awhile here are a few updates:
1. Called my mom and asked her opinion on if I had a metabolic problem and needed to get my thyroid checked. Nope, the vomiting was not due to that, it was due to being 9 weeks pregnant. Surprise!
2. Quit wine cold turkey. Yes, my pinot noir love affair has been squelched. There is still one "tiny wine" sitting in my cupboard, so lonely.
3. Rediscovered the candy jar. This is where I stash the ridiculous amounts of Halloween/Christmas/Easter candy that kids bring home. It's been largely untouched for months - ripe for the picking!
4. The girl got in trouble at school for mooning another child. In her defense, it was technically more of a "crescent" than a full moon.
5. Haven't yet decided on my favorite new "short girl" on America's Next Top Model. But loving the critiques of how they are not looking tall enough!
6. Had my once a year observation at school - five weeks in at two o'clock in the afternoon. Either my principal is extremely confident in me or she did not appreciate the joke leave of absence I filled out for the annual nude cruise.
7. Noticing that my "sparkles" are coming back again. Really unfortunate that I didn't get my hair dyed the weekend before the big discovery.
8. Frustrated my Dr's today by refusing to cooperate with the tests they wanted to run on me. (All of that "routine" screening they do on your first visit.) "I do not want a screening for (insert endless developmental deformities) and I am supremely confident I do not have __(fill in name of disease/STD)____ and you already have my blood type and my RH factor from when I was here in June." I escaped the "swabbing" but caved to a few of the blood tests they INSISTED they needed, but only 5 of them - not 12!
9. Going to bed at 9:00. If I stay up later then I am reluctant to get up in the morning.
10. I am missing my girlfriends! What happened to our awesome summer schedule? (Well, only some of us had an awesome schedule but I know we saw eachother more often than lately.) I appreciate the texts and messages. I miss you girls!!
1. Called my mom and asked her opinion on if I had a metabolic problem and needed to get my thyroid checked. Nope, the vomiting was not due to that, it was due to being 9 weeks pregnant. Surprise!
2. Quit wine cold turkey. Yes, my pinot noir love affair has been squelched. There is still one "tiny wine" sitting in my cupboard, so lonely.
3. Rediscovered the candy jar. This is where I stash the ridiculous amounts of Halloween/Christmas/Easter candy that kids bring home. It's been largely untouched for months - ripe for the picking!
4. The girl got in trouble at school for mooning another child. In her defense, it was technically more of a "crescent" than a full moon.
5. Haven't yet decided on my favorite new "short girl" on America's Next Top Model. But loving the critiques of how they are not looking tall enough!
6. Had my once a year observation at school - five weeks in at two o'clock in the afternoon. Either my principal is extremely confident in me or she did not appreciate the joke leave of absence I filled out for the annual nude cruise.
7. Noticing that my "sparkles" are coming back again. Really unfortunate that I didn't get my hair dyed the weekend before the big discovery.
8. Frustrated my Dr's today by refusing to cooperate with the tests they wanted to run on me. (All of that "routine" screening they do on your first visit.) "I do not want a screening for (insert endless developmental deformities) and I am supremely confident I do not have __(fill in name of disease/STD)____ and you already have my blood type and my RH factor from when I was here in June." I escaped the "swabbing" but caved to a few of the blood tests they INSISTED they needed, but only 5 of them - not 12!
9. Going to bed at 9:00. If I stay up later then I am reluctant to get up in the morning.
10. I am missing my girlfriends! What happened to our awesome summer schedule? (Well, only some of us had an awesome schedule but I know we saw eachother more often than lately.) I appreciate the texts and messages. I miss you girls!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Just So You Know
That bruise I was worried about... well, I'm not going to post a pic, because it is gross. Purple. Abigail asked me, "What is THAT? I explained that it was a bruise. She said, "I've never seen one like that before!"
I am racing to post this before my computer restarts itself. Somehow - without my permission - my computer decided it needed to update and there is a clock counting down until I am shut down. Vista!!
I went to kickboxing class tonight. First time in awhile. I got my second wind half way through. I think I'm going to feel like I got my butt kicked when I wake up in the morning.
Grocery shopping on Wednesday night is peaceful.
Ooh - 30 seconds! Good night!!
I am racing to post this before my computer restarts itself. Somehow - without my permission - my computer decided it needed to update and there is a clock counting down until I am shut down. Vista!!
I went to kickboxing class tonight. First time in awhile. I got my second wind half way through. I think I'm going to feel like I got my butt kicked when I wake up in the morning.
Grocery shopping on Wednesday night is peaceful.
Ooh - 30 seconds! Good night!!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
No nuts in our house!
I whacked myself in the thigh with an epi pen today - don't panic - it was just the "practice" version. I think it's going to leave a bruise... Today I finally got myself down to the pharmacy to cough up the money for the $153.00 life saving device that was not covered by my insurance company.... Apparently the people at the insurance company categorize this specific tool as a "medical treatment" and thus will not be covered until I hit my bazillion dollar deductible. (No worries though, our April trip to the ER really pushed us closer. Because the way the attending doctor in the ER is billed separately from the actual building- and he was also "not covered.") I am thankful that I have insurance so that if I am in a major accident and I end up in the hospital I will not financially devastate my family (keep fingers crossed it doesn't go over the max amount), but on a daily basis my insurance company is a pain. An epi-pen, that's something you administer because you are not breathing, it should be covered under the prescription program.
It all worked out, the wonderful nurse at the allergy office called the drug rep and got one sent over to me for free, that was a blessing. And with the two pack I bought today, I now have three. One for the sitters house, one for our house, and one to travel with me. God is good, and I am thankful that my job provides me with money to take care of buying it on my own. But I am still annoyed.
I have an epi pen because Will has been diagnosed as allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. One of those fluke things, I have no idea how this happened. I keep thinking back to when I ate nuts when I was preggo and when I got the salmonella poisoning from peanut butter also when I was preggo. (Remember that from a few years ago?) It is what it is. Now I am a more careful label reader. No nuts. No peanut butter. No products that were processed in a plant that also processes peanuts. No M&Ms! Thankfully labels give allergy warnings at the bottom of the ingredients, so that makes it easier. And I am SO thankful that it is only peanuts/nuts. (Peanuts are technically a legume and that is why it is peanuts and nuts). It could have been eggs, wheat, or soy - which are more commonly listed on labels. The doctor said 80% of kids grow out of allergies, so we are hoping. Now I travel with Benadryl and and epi pen, and hope all that money was a big fat waste and my sweet boy stays healthy. Keep us in your prayers.
It all worked out, the wonderful nurse at the allergy office called the drug rep and got one sent over to me for free, that was a blessing. And with the two pack I bought today, I now have three. One for the sitters house, one for our house, and one to travel with me. God is good, and I am thankful that my job provides me with money to take care of buying it on my own. But I am still annoyed.
I have an epi pen because Will has been diagnosed as allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. One of those fluke things, I have no idea how this happened. I keep thinking back to when I ate nuts when I was preggo and when I got the salmonella poisoning from peanut butter also when I was preggo. (Remember that from a few years ago?) It is what it is. Now I am a more careful label reader. No nuts. No peanut butter. No products that were processed in a plant that also processes peanuts. No M&Ms! Thankfully labels give allergy warnings at the bottom of the ingredients, so that makes it easier. And I am SO thankful that it is only peanuts/nuts. (Peanuts are technically a legume and that is why it is peanuts and nuts). It could have been eggs, wheat, or soy - which are more commonly listed on labels. The doctor said 80% of kids grow out of allergies, so we are hoping. Now I travel with Benadryl and and epi pen, and hope all that money was a big fat waste and my sweet boy stays healthy. Keep us in your prayers.
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